Unsung Harmonies: The Legacy of 'Sons of Soul' by Tony! Toni! Toné!
Charting the journey of pioneers in modern soul from imitation to innovation.
An assumption was frequently cast upon the triad of Ray Wiggins (more commonly known by his stage name, Raphael Saadiq), his brother D'Wayne, and cousin Timothy Christian Riley, collectively known as Tony! Toni! Toné!. Some categorized them as mere imitators, a retro novelty act repackaging the past. Their first album, Who? (1988) was not about mimicking yesteryears but bringing a fusion of past and future nuances of soul music into the present. Alas, the public seemed unprepared for such a novel approach.
The band regrouped, learning from their debut's less-than-stellar reception, and produced their 1990 follow-up, The Revival. Fine-tuning their unique sound and defying the trends set by the prevailing new jack swing generation, the trio balanced energetic anthems with soothing, slow-paced ballads. The Revival marked their first venture into self-production (apart from two tracks) and their initial breakthrough into the mainstream.
Their success did not diminish their ambitions; they hungered for recognition and respect, continually seeking to innovate. Anticipation was built for their subsequent project, and the Tonies bounced between studios in California before escaping to Trinidad and Tobago for focused creativity. Changes also occurred in their support network as their earlier collaborators, Foster & McElroy, moved on.
The period between 1991 and 1992 saw them capitalizing on The Revival's success, touring, and contributing soundtrack cuts for films such as Boyz N the Hood, House Party 2, and Poetic Justice, all while bearing the hallmark of The Revival's uncomplicated R&B flavor. However, the musical climate began to shift. Glossy new jack swing fell out of fashion, supplanted by the grittier, more grounded sound of "hip-hop soul." With hip-hop movements on both coasts shaping the scene, the Tonies chose to brand themselves more distinctly, drawing a line between their soulful sound and contemporary R&B trends.
Their third album, Sons of Soul, emerged as a rebirth of the band, a creative metamorphosis that saw them shed their previous experiments with new jack swing to rise as influential architects of modern funk and soul. Melding tributes to their musical influences with the timely pulse of contemporary music, they managed to synchronize the charm of classic soul with the allure of the present.
The band's originality and creativity surged as they developed their unique brand of Oakland funk, incorporating live instrumentation and showcasing their trademark mix of wry humor and tender emotion. Their sound was now both distinctive and mesmerizing, reaching a level of authenticity previously unachieved.
Starting with the lively “If I Had No Loot,” Sons of Soul glided effortlessly through a labyrinth of R&B subgenres, from edgy hip-hop soul and luxurious Philadelphia soul to vibrant pop-soul and pulsating funk, revealing the band's love for diversity and inventive experimentation. Ballads such as the sultry “Slow Wine” and the seductive “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow” showcased their ability to create moods that were both sensual and deeply sentimental.
The real crown jewel of Sons of Soul was “Anniversary,” a grand composition with timeless appeal elegantly adorned by Clare Fischer’s orchestration. Its heartfelt lyrics depicted a man's admiration for his partner and shared love, marking the day they first fell in love. Closing the album was a tender tribute to their high school chorus group, "Castleers."
Sons of Soul firmly established Tony! Toni! Toné! as forerunners in the revival of soul music. The album was a critical and commercial success, achieving platinum certification and becoming their best-selling release. However, their real influence on contemporary black music seems underappreciated today. They were pioneers in blending traditional and modern styles long before the term “neo-soul” was even coined.
Sons of Soul's genre-hopping audacity and timeless appeal set a new standard in R&B, defying popular trends then. Even today, it has influenced modern acts like Anderson .Paak, The Internet, and Moonchild. It's a testament to their enduring influence that, three decades on, the music of Tony! Toni! Toné! still echoes strongly, louder than ever.